The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

61. What about those without the Emperor?

At this point, who is the focal point of Ignit?

Anyone you ask would say it’s Kariel.

But what happens if such a focal point disappears?

“…Has my brother finally left us?”

The expression of Rufiel, who was designated as Crown Prince, decayed like a rotting fruit.

The truth known only to the highest echelons of Ignit was revealed by the Shadows’ report.

“Ugh… What if something has happened to my brother…?”

“For now, there’s nothing we can do but believe.”

“Looking at the reports from the East Continent, we must inform them that my brother is unwell… but how do we manage the chaos this will cause?”

In response to Rufiel’s question, the Chancellor provided the most neutral answer, and based on that, the ministers added their input to devise a basic plan.

Today, as heavy matters piled up continuously, the difficult meeting ended, and everyone returned to their departments with weary expressions.

“Thank you for staying.”

Rufiel, who had remained until the end, spoke to the Chancellor, prompting Winston to let out a small sigh.

In truth, after Kariel had left, he had intended to quietly retire after laying the groundwork for a secret command.

However, as the situation worsened, it became increasingly difficult for him to leave it all to Luther.

“Chancellor, please stay. If you leave now, even the West Continent will plunge into chaos.”

Rufiel’s earnest plea.

But he initially tried to refuse. At this point, even walking was a painful endeavor, and he couldn’t commute to the palace every day.

Knowing this, Rufiel promptly expanded the Chancellor’s quarters to create living space for Winston.

Being aware of Winston’s declining health, he even gifted him various tonics, ensuring he was well taken care of, just as Kariel had done.

It seemed this instilled a sense of urgency in Winston, who then used Kariel as an excuse.

“Very well. You don’t even need to report to me. Just remain in the palace.”

Rufiel’s firm command.

Even as rumors circulated that the Chancellor was wielding power over Rufiel, he focused on keeping Winston in the palace.

Despite various excuses, Winston had begun to prepare for a gradual withdrawal from his position, but each time, Rufiel had thwarted his retirement with unwavering resolve.

And due to Rufiel’s efforts, Winston ultimately found it impossible to refuse, hence his current struggles.

“Ugh… Is the young majesty struggling?”

As Winston exited, he sighed softly.

He was indeed young and lacking in experience. Yet, at the most critical moments, he found himself embroiled in complications again and again.

Initially, one or two instances could be chalked up to coincidence, but as it kept happening, it indicated that Rufiel was deliberately creating such scenarios.

While not possessing the monstrous political skills of Kariel, who manipulated the board and eliminated variables, Rufiel was still nobody to underestimate, subtly making concessions while securing essential gains.

“Is it really the young majesty?”

Now, he could understand why Kariel appointed Rufiel instead of Seriel as Crown Prince.

In this crisis, Seriel, with his superior military knowledge and qualities of a general, would have been more suited for the throne.

Yet, Kariel chose Rufiel as the Crown Prince and departed.

‘With meticulous calculations, I must never retreat and must draw the line for negotiations.’

Rufiel’s nature was calculated and thorough, befitting a Mage.

As he learned the meaning of ‘concession,’ he simultaneously found ways to uphold the lines he had drawn even more rigorously.

Though still lacking, with accumulated experience, the lines he had drawn would push further forward.

Therefore, while he had the perfect opportunity to withdraw now, given his immaturity…

“Can I actually retire…?”

Despite having received Kariel’s permission to retire anytime, he now doubted whether he could step down on his own.

*

“Ugh… it’s tough.”

After barely managing to defend today, Rufiel slumped heavily into the throne with a tired expression.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Upon seeing the attendant bring him water, Rufiel nodded slightly.

Taking a refreshing sip made him feel somewhat alive.

“I finally understand why my brother so despised this position.”

As Rufiel shook his head, an aged attendant quietly delivered him a report.

Just like Chancellor Winston, who was working secretly on a mission from Kariel, Rufiel too had things he was preparing secretly.

Moves in case of emergencies.

「Building the Final Defense Line – Fortifying the West Continent」

A secret not fully disclosed to others yet.

However, the top echelon of Ignit had already commenced preliminary work for this fortification effort.

Starting with fortifying the entire Giant Canyon, similar operations were underway in the Frigid Canyon above.

Additionally, fortifications were being erected throughout the Giant Mountain Range.

In other words, plans were set in case they had to abandon the entire East Continent.

Yet, given their current collaboration with the Human Alliance, what would happen if this secret got out?

The Allied Forces themselves could collapse in an instant, so it had to be kept rigorously confidential.

“More and more people are starting to notice.”

Rufiel frowned, troubled. While he had been managing somewhat well until now, it was increasingly becoming difficult to keep it a secret.

Some already began to question why, despite the presence of the Giant Fortress, such immense investments were being made into the impregnable castle.

“We must maintain utmost secrecy. Even if it requires deploying more Intelligence Department agents to seal it up.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The attendant quietly took his leave upon Rufiel’s command.

“Ugh… If only my brother comes back soon.”

Even though he merely sat in for the Emperor, the pressure was phenomenal.

In truth, Rufiel believed that considering all previous emperors, he didn’t rate too poorly currently.

But that was only when viewed in the grand scheme of things.

How could he hope to compare with his brother, who stood next to him and was one of the greatest emperors in history?

At the slightest misstep, he would be compared to Kariel and branded a ‘tyrant!’ or a ‘cruel ruler!’

Even now, if every situation were to be resolved and Kariel subtly retired, what would happen?

“That would be terrifying.”

Rufiel grimaced and shook his head, his eyes shining as he quietly opened a drawer.

It seemed time for him to start preparing for his future as well.

「Resignation Letter」

A resignation letter drafted merely a month after being named Crown Prince.

However, while suffering in harsh circumstances, such thoughts brought doubts, and he had been putting them off until today, when he finally gained certainty.

‘I am not meant to be an emperor.’

With conviction in this thought, Rufiel began to prepare quietly, just as his brother had done.

Surprisingly, it didn’t seem like it would be too hard.

Just like his brother Kariel, all he needed to do was cultivate public opinion and prepare step by step.

In fact, it would be much easier than Kariel.

With Kariel being among the most respected emperors in Ignit’s history, it didn’t matter much who the Crown Prince was.

“Please come back soon, brother.”

*

While Rufiel was fervently pondering how to step down from the burdensome throne, Seriel was also grappling with his own responsibilities.

“This is insane.”

「Final Defense Line Blueprint for Ignit」

An outline that Seriel created for the final defense line.

The core figure behind this blueprint was none other than himself, under the secret orders of Kariel.

He needed to reorganize the forces, centered around Master Iron’s Salvatore and Luminos’ Chardonnay left on the West Continent.

Several potential masters existed within the Empire, and both Rufiel and Seriel were among them.

The issue was that he couldn’t merely waste time for growth like others.

If the expeditionary force on the East Continent suffered devastating losses, all of Ignit’s military power had to be concentrated at the impregnable fortress here.

And it was Seriel who was to lead those forces.

Knowing this, the Allied Forces’ Commanding General Lokan was subtly shoving his duties onto Seriel while focusing on pursuing the demons.

“I know why he does it… but it’s driving me insane.”

Reluctant to refuse outright, since the tasks given by Lokan Versailles were all essential for his growth.

If he were to die, the one to lead all of Ignit’s army in his stead would be Seriel, so it made sense to train him early.

But as he unexpectedly showed commendable qualities as a commander, Lokan had no choice but to push him further, leading to an overwhelming burden of authority upon him.

This had sparked recent whispers within the military.

“The War of Succession isn’t over yet.”

“It’s practically equivalent to entrusting the entire military power to Seriel.”

“Will the internal affairs be handled by Rufiel, while the military is entrusted to Seriel?”

Seriel had grown frighteningly powerful, enough to even threaten Rufiel, now that he was a Crown Prince.

In the past, he might have welcomed it.

But now?

“Ugh… I think I’d need to resign when my brother returns.”

Taking out a resignation letter he’d kept hidden, Seriel sighed.

There may well come a day when he would return to this position, but that day was not now.

At least not for another ten… or twenty years, perhaps; he had no desire to carry such a burdensome role before that.

“Brother, please come back soon.”

Muttering this, Seriel gazed at the map.

If he made even a slight misjudgment, countless troops could disappear.

Thus, this heavy responsibility was too great for someone as inexperienced as him to bear.

“I must endure until my brother returns.”

With that resolve, Seriel earnestly prayed for Kariel’s return as he sifted through materials and reviewed reports.

*

As the future of Ignit lay heavily upon the shoulders of both Rufiel and Seriel, tormented by their burdens, Kariel, who had descended into Hell, suffered in a different way.

– Please lead us!

– Become our king!

– As the King of the Underworld, drive away the fallen beings!

Countless wraiths gathered before Kariel, pleading for him to become their king.

How did it come to this?

The reason was simple.

He had purified the corrupted remnants of the past that had taken root in various parts of Hell due to the Trial of Garum.

With the chaotic energy of Hell stabilizing and the land returning to normal, the restless wraiths began to flock to Kariel.

[They subtly propose that Garum becomes the King of the Underworld.]

[Becoming the King of the Underworld! → The moment you decide to become the King of the Underworld, all trials will end and Garum will join your ranks.]

“Get lost.”

Kariel flatly rejected Garum’s proposal, gazing at the wraiths with a troubled expression.

And among them, Surth watched on with amusement.

– How come you look like this even in Hell?

In response to Surth’s inquiry, Kariel shot him a glare instead of answering.